Oar-lock.



' PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

A. W. KNAPP;

OAR LOCK.

anwwbm QNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIc ALVIN W. KNAPP, OF BRANDON, NEW'YORK.

OAR-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 724,298, dated March31, 1903. Q

' Application filed July 25, 19Q2- Serial No. 116,966. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALVIN W. KNAPP, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brandon, in the county of Franklin and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Locks, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide a support of novel formation for anoar-lock to admit of adapting said oar-lock to the reach of the personrowing, so as to'enable the force expended to be applied to the bestpossible advantage without producing the fatigue and inconvenienceresulting from a cramped posiitioi in cases of non-adjustment of theoar-In the general construction of oar-locks the same when positioned occupya definite distance from the seat. Consequently tall and short personsmust adapt themselves to the distance, at a great disadvantage to one orthe other. This invention provides a mounting which will admit ofshifting the oar-lock toward and from the seat, according to the reachof the rower, thereby obviating the ills attendant upon the constructionin which the oar-lock maintains a uniform distance or position withreference to the seat.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof, and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means forefiecting the result, reference is to be had to the followingdescription and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention aresusceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a perspective view of the side portion of aboat, showing an oar-lockmounted in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective viewof the mounting or plate detached from the boat. Fig. 3 is a perspectiveview of a modification. *Fig. 4 is a horizontal or plan section thereof.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views ot'the drawings by the. samereference characters.

The mounting for the oar-lock consists of a plate 1, provided with aseries of sockets 2 at intervals in its length, said plate being adaptedto be bolted or otherwise secured to the gunwale of the boat in anysubstantial manner. The sockets 2 may be of any formation and providedin any number, according to the required adjustments of the earlock tovary its position from the seat 3 of the boat. While it is preferred tohave the sockets 2 integral with the plate 1, it is contemplated withinthe purview of the invention to constructthe sockets separate from theplate and attach them thereto, about as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The oar-lock 4 may be of any pattern or make, and its stem is removablyfitted in any one of the sockets 2, so as to admit of moving theoar-lock toward or away from the seat 3, according to the reach orconvenience of the rower. A short person or rower having a short reachcan manipulate the oar to the best possible advantage by having thecarlock fitted into the socket nearest the seat,

and a tall person or one having a long reach can row to advantage byhaving the oar-lock fitted in the socket farthest from the seat. Themounting herein disclosed provides for adjustment of the oar-lock tomeet varying requirements, so that the position of the oarlock may besuch as to adapt it to the reach of the rower.

In the construction shown inFigs. 3 and 4 the plate 1 is provided withpairs of ribs 5, which are undercut and converge slightly toward theirlower ends, whereby the space between the vertical edges ofcorresponding ribs contracts toward its lower end, so as to preventdownward displacement of the socket 2. The socket 2 is widened at itsrear side to form lateral extensions 6, which are downwardly convergedconformable to the space formed between a pair of ribs 5. The lateralextensions 6 are beveled so as to interlock with the undercut edges ofthe ribs 5 and form interlocking connection therewith to hold the socketin place. The slight taper of the space between a pair of ribs .5 issuch as to cause the lateral extensions or wings 6 to bind frictionallyagainst said ribs to retain the socket in place. However, positivesecuring means may be employed for holding the socket to the plateagainst vertical displacement, and, as shown in Fig. 3, the cotter-pin7, applied to the stem of the oar-lock 4, may engage under the plate 1.By having the socket 2 detachably connected with the plate the mountingmay be constructed of less metal, and only one socket projects laterallyfrom the plate instead of a plurality, as is the case where a series ofsockets and the plate are integrally formed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Amounting for an oar-lock to admit of adjustment of the oar-lock to agreater or less distance from the seat of the rower, said mountingconsisting of a plate, and a series -of separate and independentsecuring means provided at intervals for attachment of the oar-lock tothe plate in any selected position, substantially as set forth.

2. A mounting for an oar-lock, the same consisting of a plate providedwith ribs at intervals in its length, and a socket shiftable along theplate and adapted to make inter-- locking connection with any pair ofthe said ribs of said plate, substantially as set forth.

3. A mounting for an oar-lock consisting of a plate provided with pairsof ribs at intervals in its length, and a socket having a side widenedto provide lateral extensions to make interlocking connection with theribs of any one of the said pairs of ribs, substantially as described.

4; A mounting for an oar-lock consisting of a plate provided with pairsof ribs having the opposing edges of each pair of ribs undercut anddownwardly converged, and a socket having a side widened and providedwith lateral extensions which are beveled and downwardly converged tomake interlocking connection with any one of the said pairs of ribs,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.v

ALVIN W. KNAPP. [L. s]

\Vitnesses:

C. J. PRARIE, WILLIS HART.

